A/N: For any of you who have had a peek at the actual RPG, you may notice that some of these titles are not in fact threads at all. Some looked a bit samey or went on for quite a while, so I ended up making up a few of these. Oops.

Chapter XXV: A Trap For The New Commodore

In her hut, Tia reached into a jar of sand and took a great handful of it. She spread the sand across her table. She muttered the words to make the sand represent the sea. A stick became the canoe, a hunk of barnacled driftwood became the Dutchman and a rock with a magical sign painted on it became her island. Now she would have a little control over the tides that might bring certain individuals to safety. Something in the back of her mind told her that the foul Leo who had visited her earlier was gone. She would have to ponder this later. She still had work to do.

Tia drew a line in the sand from the canoe/stick to the rock/island. Then she sat back and relaxed a little bit. A strong current would take Jack to her island. Then she could help him with another plan to find the Pearl. An albino python slithered over her shoulder and she petted the snake.

"We're probably going ta have ta get out da rum, hmmm? And someting else. Da storm gave me a headache."

The python hissed, understanding. Tia moved the stick closer to the rock.

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As Jack narrowed his eyes at the change in winds, he was suddenly aware of a patch of wetness around his rump and boots. He was about to accuse either himself or his shipmate of incontinency until he noticed the small hole in the base of the canoe.

"Bugger."

Jack scooted forwards so he was sat almost on top of the leak and then stuffed the corner of his coat into the hole. He reached out and took Oaxacoco's hand, sticking the old man's finger into the plug to hold it still.

"Change o' plan, mate. Might 'ave to make a little detour before we make sail for your meeting place." He followed the wind, somewhat uncertain as to how welcome he would be upon the stretch of land to which they headed.

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It felt like they'd been travelling for days. Perhaps they had. At last it seemed that land was in sight. Pintel could hardly see over the helm from being so short but now he bounced up and down with glee.

"Cap'n! Look! It's the island on the horizon. We've made it, see!"

One of his eyes twinkled. Soon the Pearl will be mine...and Ragetti's of course...

Albannon lit up at the news of land. Yes! Finally off this damn boat! he thought. "Pikki and Spagetti, would you mind hurling that smelly Leadi fellow overboard...? Kesreal, make for land, and fast, this ship is on its last legs." He lit a cigar and smiled at the prospect of land. Even if he failed to mend the ship, Oxo might be there. I hope for loyalty, though I guess it's unlikely... I would not be loyal either…

Ragetti giggled softly, excited that soon he and Pintel would be left alone on the Pearl. He wanted Leo off the ship too, but to be frank he didn't want to go near the man. Still... best he were gone. But then Ragetti remembered something. "Pint, I don't tink we're gonna get too far wot wit the ship bein' all torn up below an' all."

From below deck, Kestrel let out a bloodcurdling shriek and barrelled upstairs. She flung herself to the rails and gagged for a few moments, gasping in the salty air.

Pintel had put on a sulky expression at the subject Ragetti had brought up. "Well, we's just gonna 'ave ter fix the Pearl up on shore some'ow and then find a way to leave the lot of 'em behind. Easy way or 'ard, tis up ter them." Just then he heard the scream and peered down to the deck where the boyishly-dressed woman was now standing. "Wot'sa matter wiv 'er now?" he said loudly.

Redbloom heard the scream from below deck and jolted from his day-dream. He looked sharply toward the disturbance and gurned a long gurn upon the deck below. He walked over slowly and cast his eyes to the hold. He grimaced and scratched his beard... He felt a little out of the loop.

"Hmmm...?" He clasped his cane and unscrewed the cap, revealing a small compartment. From it he whisked a small paper pellet with a fuse at one end. "Gentlemen, ladies, fellows and searats..." He lit the fuse. "... I wonder if you would answer a question..." He hurled the pellet at the ground. It exploded with a pop, flash and a crackle. "What, I call you to answer, is going on!"

Kestrel near jumped out of her skin at the sound, but luckily was shocked into feeling somewhat less sick. She looked to Redbloom, face pale. "It's Mr di Giovanni, sir. He's...he's..." She took a moment to stop herself retching. "Disintegrated. I...I just went below deck for a moment and he was just there...well, pieces of him...oh it's horrible! And then something awful brushed against me, I thought, so I ran."

Redbloom stifled a laugh, then beamed at Kestrel. "Well, I shouldn't worry too much, yes, we should be making landfall soon. When Jack Deflarrow returns, he may clean his own ship. I wonder what ever happened to him...? He was going to give me a job at one point, haha. Yes. Well I hope he will be eager to seek me out, what with the offer I made him. Indeed, I hope I should not lose you as I did him, Kestrel. Though I would warn against any attachment to smelly men who disintegrate in future. Well! To the helm, gentlemen and ladies, we shall be landing soon. Ha. Hmmmm...yes!"

He tipped his hat and knocked Kestrel's hat off with his cane, before leaping back up the deck.

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Once the Kaelas had sailed far enough away from Tortuga, she had come to a halt by orders of her captain. Surreal had only given the order when she felt that they would be able to make a decent escape if needed. She had also picked this spot, as her new foe, of whom she was unsure, would have to pass them to get to Tortuga. Surreal smiled inwardly as she examined all the maps and her notations. Suddenly an idea came to her about how to get the element of surprise.

"Titan!" she shouted. "Get your arse in here!"

He sped into the room. He looked as though he just run the length of the ship, not that she would have been surprised if he had. They were in her cabin for a full hour while they discussed her idea until she dismissed him. Once left alone she quickly finished the last few things for her idea to work. She then appeared out on deck, but made sure that she wouldn't be seen by anyone while they waited.

La Réve crashed through the sea. The wind was with them, and they were moving at a very good pace. Commodore Herbald was called from his cabin where he was studying maps of the islands.

"A ship has been spotted, sir," Stewart reported. "Still too far away to tell if they're friend or foe."

Herbald took the spyglass and trained it on the horizon. He saw the ship, but what Stewart said was true. They were still too far away.

"Then let's get closer, Lieutenant. I want a positive identification of this ship."

"Yes sir!" Stewart set about delivering the orders.

Aboard the Kaelas, Titan watched the horizon with interest. As soon as he spotted the ship, he called for Surreal so that they could set the plan in motion.

Having heard Titan's call, Surreal ran out onto the deck. "Do we know if it's them?" she asked, while she prepared to dive into the water. Before Titan could identify the ship, Surreal had already dived in. She didn't swim very far as she kept herself hidden from the approaching ship.

Well, if this is going to work, it's going to have to be pulled off perfectly, he thought coldly. Titan barked orders for the crew to make sail. Their heading was the unknown ship. Titan just hoped that Surreal could pull this off without his help, as he was needed aboard the ship.

As they got closer, the Commodore was able to tell something about the ship's identification.

"She's Asian, sir," Stewart noticed, looking through a spyglass of his own. "No doubt about it. Look at the sails."

"Yes she is, but let's not jump to conclusions, Lieutenant," Herbald advised. "She could be an innocent trader. We're looking for the ship's name; Kaelas. K-a-e-l-a-s. And don't forget the female captain, Surreal SaDiablo. Apparently, she's quite tricky. Best keep your wits about you, Stewart."

"Yes, sir."

Surreal was quite enjoying herself despite the circumstances. Because the Kaelas was set on an interception course, she had no option but to be dragged along by her ship, so that she could stay out of sight. As she was being dragged, Surreal checked that she still had Kaetien, for she moved through the water pretty roughly.

"What do you bet that I'll end up with loads of bruises from this stunt," she muttered. She knew well that she could have shouted it and no-one would have heard her over the sound of the ocean. The crew aboard the Kaelas had just finished all the preparations that Titan had asked of them.

Titan however stood at the helm, and watched the ship approach. Inwardly he worried about Surreal, but seeing as this was her idea he would leave her to it. The Kaelas was now close enough to the La Réve that Titan could make out her captain. "Ahoy there!" he shouted as the ships closed in on each other. "Lower the anchor!" he then yelled at the crew. The Kaelas was once again at a stand still. Now it's their move, Titan thought sourly.

At last, the ship was close enough. Commodore Herbald could even hear a voice drifting across the gap between the ships. The Commodore ordered his ship be brought to a halt. He didn't see any women on board, but he had seen the ship's name. It was the Kaelas.

"Shall we raise our flag, sir?" Stewart asked, a little nervous.

"Yes, Lieutenant. And tell the crew to be ready for an attack, but do it quietly."

And so the naval Union Jack was raised. There was no mistaking La Réve now for what she was.

"Ahoy!" Herbald called to the other ship. "What is your business in these waters? Strike your colours!"

"You heard him men. Strike up the colours!" Titan shouted. He smiled and laughed to himself. "This will be fun," he murmured. The crew at once raised the flag, though Titan knew that the captain of the other ship would not know what it stood for, seeing as it was the mark of the Dae La Mon. The flag showed two white tigers facing each other on a blood red background. A mark which only two members of this crew carried, Surreal and him. It was a custom that those from the Dae La Mon would have their mark tattooed upon them. The choice was theirs as regards to where. "There's our colours, and our business has nothing to concern you!" Titan sneered. "What's your business here?" he asked even though he already knew why they were here.

Meanwhile Surreal was already aboard La Réve. She had boarded unnoticed by the crew. She found a spot in the captain's quarters and hid, as she listened intently to what was happening between the two captains.

The commodore's blood boiled. How dare these pirates taunt him like this! "My business here is to rid these waters of pirate filth! In the name of the King, I command that you surrender!"

Meanwhile, one of the junior officers thought he had spotted some movement in the commodore's cabin. He knew that if he got caught out of line he would be punished, but the feeling that something was wrong wouldn't leave him alone, so he dared to peek in one of the windows to see if there was anyone inside.

"Damn," she hissed as she spotted one of the crew look towards where she was hidden. Just great, now I need a quick change of plan, she thought as she disappeared out the window she had entered. She then climbed up to where the captain was. While Surreal climbed she calculated her actions and decided that attack was the only option. As soon as she had the captain in her sights she unsheathed Kaetien and charged at him. However, she did not do what any of the crew would have expected. Instead of issuing him with a death blow, she grabbed him from behind and held him with Kaetien across his neck whilst she used his body as a shield.

"Now, captain, I'd be the one you seek. What's say you and I have a little chat in your cabin?" she whispered in his ear.

If Herbald thought he was mad before...

His body froze. All around him, his men drew their swords and guns but knew they couldn't attack without harming their leader.

"That's Commodore," he stressed his title. "And I suppose you leave me with little choice, Miss SaDiablo." Herbald surprised himself with how calm he was. If I live through this, I'm going to need a strong drink, he thought to himself.

"Oops, my mistake, Commodore." She smirked as she pushed him towards the cabin. As they passed the crew, Surreal glared at a few of them so that they would move out the way. Once inside the cabin, Surreal released Herbald. "Well, Commodore," she smirked, "the next move is yours, though I will tell you that I'm an assassin, a pretty darn good one, so no funny business. Why are you searching for me?" she asked, never taking her eyes from him.

Commodore Herbald swallowed slightly. His heart was pounding, but his voice strong and calm. "Yes, I was aware of your profession, Miss SaDiablo. I am Commodore Herbald and I was searching for you so that I could catch you, take you into custody, and then you would pay for your crimes as a pirate. I know that it was you who commandeered the Dauntless recently, and although the ship was returned, you must still pay the consequences."

Surreal burst out in hysterics. "You're joking right?" she chuckled. "Take me in? Really?" On a more serious note she carried on, "Well, sugar, I see a little flaw in your plan. You see you sound a little certain that I will come quickly, but I'm afraid that you will never take me quietly. As you might have noticed I have never been caught, and I also don't plan to be caught. Especially from a pathetic man, who's probably never used a sword in combat." She smiled sweetly but sheathed Kaetien. "Well now that I have your attention, let's do business. As you might have guessed I have been hired by your superiors on more than one occasion." She sat down in one of the chairs in the cabin and looked up at the commodore expectantly. "A drink would be nice, you know," she said.

Herbald fought the urge to do something rash. Fine. Let the pirate think he couldn't wield a sword. She would be sorry she underestimated him. His fingers itched to grab his sword from its sheath at his waist or his pistol and show SaDiablo some manners. However, he had to admit he didn't like the look of her sword. And she probably was better with it than he was with his. It also bothered him that she had been hired by his superiors. He had heard whispers about that, but now it seemed those whispers were true. Even so...

"You can hardly expect me to offer you a drink after you intruded on my ship, nor should you expect me to want to do any business with you short of the type that would result with you meeting the gallows."

"I wasn't asking sugar." She glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled. "A scotch would be nice if you have one." She waited a few beats before she continued. "Now as I've previously said, the only way you'll get me to the gallows is dead. The only business I have with you is to find out what the bounty is on my head." As she was seated with her back to the Commodore she spared one more glance and raised her eyebrow while she waited for her drink.

Commodore Herbald reluctantly walked over to his drinks cabinet. It was going against everything he believed in to give Surreal a drink. "If you must know, the bounty on your head is of little concern to me," he said. "It is my personal vendetta against all pirates that is fuelling my quest."

"Now, sugar, do I look like a pirate to you?" she indicated to her attire then continued, "Seeing as you're not here for the bounty, but for personal reasons, I'll vacate your ship." In one swift movement she passed the commodore, though once at the door she glanced back.

"Pray that we never meet again. If you cross my path again, getting me a drink will be the least of your problems. You'll learn why I'm an assassin!" She waited a couple of beats for her threat to sink in before she added, "Good day Commodore!" Having left the Commodore's cabin Surreal made her way across to her ship.

Once aboard the Kaelas she shouted, "Set sail!" She made her way into her cabin and glanced at the maps that were left upon her desk.

"Bloody hell, where should I be heading?" she murmured as she studied the maps. She removed her pendant from her neck, held it above one of the maps and muttered a small incantation. The red jewel on her pendant shone brightly when held above an area of very dark power. "Titan, get your arse in here before I flay it!"

Titan charged into Surreal's cabin, nearly crashing into her desk when he tried to come to a stop. "What's wrong?" he asked anxiously. He stopped her from replying when he noticed that her pendant glowed while she held it above the map. "What in the name of hell are you doing?" he demanded.

"Don't you dare take that tone with me!" she bristled. "I shouted you in here as we need to change our heading. I wish to go here." She indicated to the area on the map that glowed a dark blood red from the pendant that was held above it. "I know that there will be a very dark power here but I think that I need to find the source of it." At that she dismissed Titan and poured herself a glass of whiskey.

Accepting his dismissal Titan headed out of her cabin and relayed her orders to the crew. After he felt satisfied that they were headed in the right direction he made his way below deck. As he walked the depths of the ship he came to a shocking stop as he nearly fell over a man fast asleep on the floor. Titan looked closely at the man and realized that it was the stowaway Blake.

"Damn," he hissed. He made the decision to move Blake to keep him out of harms way. He called over some of the crew to help him take Blake up to the deck. "Sorry mate, but if Surreal finds you, you'll be mince meat. You've got a better chance of survival in the ocean than on this ship," he said and with that Titan threw Blake overboard. "Good luck, mate!" he muttered as he made his way back to the helm, before Surreal noticed his absence.

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Back on the Réve, Commodore Herbald could not believe his luck, and his misfortune. He knew he was lucky he and the rest of his crew were still alive, but he was still fuming that Surreal had taken such advantage of him, embarrassing him by coming aboard his own ship. He had missed his chance to have this dangerous pirate arrested. He sighed heavily and sat down.

Stewart knocked politely on the door to the cabin, wanting to make sure the Commodore was alright.

"Come in," Herbald answered.

"Commodore? Are you all right, sir?"

"Yes, physically, I'm fine, Lieutenant. But it would be greatly appreciated if this incident were never brought up again, is that clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good." The Commodore poured himself a good, stiff drink.

"What is our next heading, sir?" the Lieutenant asked.

"We'll go to Tortuga. Pick up some scoundrels and take them back to Port Royal."

"Yes sir."

The Lieutenant left to give those instructions to the helmsman.